Release means having plural arms engaging same coin



w. H. ROWEKAMP ETAL. 3,485,334

Dec. 23, 1969 RELEASE MEANS HAVING PLURAL- ARMS ENGAGING SAME COIN 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 13. 1968 ilfllllilflllllllllllllllllllllllillllllll E Il III II I .Illl- Ill Pd E "I I H I I I l" I I K! INVENTO W WW5! 1969 w. H. ROWEKAMP 'ETAL 3,48

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RELEASE MEANS HAVING PLURAL- ARMS ENGAGING SAME COIN 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 13. 1968 D 3, 9 w. H. ROWEKAMP ETAl- 3,485,334

RELEASE MEANS HAVING PLURAL- ARMS ENGAGING SAME com Filed March 13. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 1959 w. H. ROWEKAMP ETAL 3,485,334

RELEASE MEANS HAVING PLURAL ARMS ENGAGING SAME COIN Filed March 13, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet .5

United States Patent 3,485,334 RELEASE MEANS HAVING PLURAL ARMS ENGAGING SAME COIN William H. lRowekamp and Charles J. Lang, Cincinnati,

Ohio, assignors to William F. Sheperd Company, Cm-

cinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 13, 1968, Ser. No. 712,848 Int. Cl. G07f /08 US. Cl. 194-93 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coin plate for a vending machine comprising, in preferred form, coin pocket means adapted to receive two nickels or one dime, a lock plate drivably interconnected with the machines product dispenser, a transfer arm having a locking limb engageable with the lock plate for establishing a lock on the product dispenser and a release limb engageable with a coin edge in the pocket means for releasing the lock, a lock mover arm continually biased into the pocket means and engageable with an opposed edge of the same coin for activating release of the lock, and a positioner link operably positioned between the lock mover arm and the lock plate for biasing the lock mover arm outwardly of the pocket means until the product dispenser is activated, whereby as the product dispenser is activated the lock is opened to permit release of the product when coinage is in the pocket means and the lock is not opened when coinage is not in the pocket means.

This invention relates to vending machines and, more particularly, this invention relates to a novel coin plate for use in vending machines.

Vending machines are, of course, old in the arts and have been used with a good deal of commercial success over the years. A vending machine is basically made up of coin rejector coin plate, and product dispenser. To obtain a product package from the machine a consumer places a coin in the coin slot. The coin first proceeds through the coin rejector where it is accepted as a valid coin or rejected as either a slug or of the wrong denomination. After passing through the coin rejector the coin is seated in the coin plate. The coin must be present in the coin plate so that the product dispenser, that is, the apparatus for releasing the product from the vending machine, can be completely actuated to provide the consumer with a selected product package. When a coin is not present in the coin plate, the coin plate mechanism prevents the product dispenser from being completely actuated, that is, the coin plate establishes a lock on the dispenser, so that a product package cannot be dispensed. The function of the coin plate, therefore, plays an extremely important part in the overall operation of the vending machine in that it establishes the lock which prevents the product dispenser from providing a product package when a coin has not been deposited in the machine, and releases the lock so a package can be dispensed when a coin has been deposited.

It has been found from experience over the years that the coin plate is one of the major sources of trouble in vending machines whereby consumers obtain merchandise without paying for it. Also, the coin plate has been found to be one of the primary problem areas that cause ICC jam ups in the product dispenser so the vending machine cannot be operated.

With certain types of prior art coin plates the lock established by the coin plate often can be released by merely tipping the machine so that the product dispenser can be completely actuated to provide a product package, thereby permitting a consumer to beat the machine. Also, it is not unknown for some coin plates to be initially actuatable with the deposit of one coin and thereafter reactuated without the deposit of a second coin by very rapidly operating, releasing, and again operating the product dispeinser handle. Other devious ways of operating the release handle of product dispensers have also been found to defeat the objectives of the coin plate.

For example, in the case of a machine selling 10 merchandise, and where the coin plate is adapted to utilize either a dime or two nickels, oftentimes the release handle can be actuated and the product released so rapidly that when two nickels are used the second nickel does not drop from the coin plate into the coin box but is retained in the coin plate. Of course this permits a consumer to obtain a series of product packages from the vending machine for only five cents because the second nickel is always retained in the coin plate.

As far as jamming the vending machine is concerned, in a typical vending machine that dispenses relatively tall packages of cookies, crackers, or the like, a retaining bar is provided to keep the cookies from falling out of the bottom of each product stack if the machine is tipped forward. When the product dispenser is very rapidly actuated oftentimes the retainer bar is pushed out and returns so rapidly that a package is caught between the bar and other structure of the machine before it is dispensed, thereby jamming the machine so that two coins are required to release a single package instead of just the one.

It has been one objective of this invention to provide a novel coin plate for a vending machine that is operable by either two nickels or one dime for vending ten cent merchandise.

It has been another objective of this invention to provide a novel coin plate that substantially prevents operating a vending machine to obtain product packages for nothing at all or ten cent packages for only five cents.

It has been a further objective of this invention to provide a novel coin plate that substantially prevents product hang-up and jamming in the product dispenser.

In accordance with these objectives this invention provides a coin plate for a vending machine comprising, in preferred form, coin pocket means adapted to receive two nickels or one dime, a lock plate drivably interconnected with the machines product dispenser, a transfer arm having a locking limb engageable with the lock plate for establishing a lock on the product dispenser and a release limb engageable with a coin edge in the pocket means for releasing the lock, a lock mover arm continually biased into the pocket means and engageable with an opposed edge of the same coin for activating release of the lock, and a positioner link operably positioned between the lock mover arm and the lock plate for biasing the lock mover arm outwardly of the pocket means until the product is activated, whereby as the product dispenser is activated the lock is opened to permit release of the product when coinage is in the pocket means and the lock is not opened when coinage is not in the pocket means.

Other objectives and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partially broken away perspective view illustrating the coin plate of this invention in a vending machine;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vending machine illustrating the product dispenser;

FIGURE 3 is a partially broken away side view of the vending machine with the coin plate and coin rejector exposed;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed side view of the coin plate illustrating its use with a dime;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 illustrating use of two nickels;

FIGURE 6 is a first operational view of the coin plate using two nickels and illustrating the lock in released position so the product dispenser can be completely actuated;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 illustrating the coin plate with the product dispenser substantially actuated and the nickels being released; and

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrating operation of a secondary latch when the product dispenser is rapidly operated.

The novel coin plate 10 of this invention is illustrated in combination with a vending machine 11 used for dispensing packages of cookies 12, crackers, or the like, see FIGURE 1. The machine 11 includes a series of stacks 13 separated by dividers 14 for carrying the product packages 12. A package of cookies 12 is dispensed from the bottom of a stack 13 by delivery apparatus 15 that is operated by drive mechanism 16, the delivery apparatus and drive mechanism constituting the product dispenser for the machine, see FIGURE 2. The package 12 drops from the bottom of the stack along a substantially vertical delivery track 17 to a ledge 18 where it can be retrieved by the consumer.

A series of product dispensers (the handles for three are illustrated in FIGURE 1) may be positioned side by side in a single vending machine to cooperate with only one coin plate 10. Each delivery apparatus 15 includes a distributor 19 movable relative to a horizontal support plate 20, the support plate being integral with the top of the delivery track 17, see FIGURE 2,. The distributor 19 is movable between a recessed position (solid lines of FIGURE 2), where it is locked by the coin plate 10 until coinage is deposited in the machine, and a product dispensed position (phantom lines of FIGURE 2). The distributor 19 includes a vertical brace 22 movable in slot 23 provided in the support plate 20, the vertical brace mounting roller wheels 24 to ride on the support plate. The vertical brace 22 also mounts a seat 27 that is provided with an outwardly extending or U- shaped retainer bar v28. When the seat 27 is in the recessed position the retainer bar 28 is positioned so that a cookie package 12 can drop within it from the bottom of stack 13 and be retained in stacked relation even if the machine is tipped. When the seat 27 is moved to the dispensing position, skirt 29 pushes the package 12 outwardly until it drops from the bar 28 and support plate down the track 17, the next successive package in the stack 13 dropping to the seat 27 at this point. As the seat 27 returns to the recessed position back rest 30 that establishes the back for the stacks 13 prevents rearward movement of the package now on the seat so that when the seat reaches the recessed position the package resting on it drops onto the support plate 20, thereby making it ready for dispensing during the next product dispenser cycle.

The product dispenser includes separate drive mechanism 16 provided for each delivery apparatus 15. The drive mechanism 16 is used to move the delivery apparatus 15 between the recessed position and the dispensed position. Each drive mechanism 16 includes a plunger arm 33 integral with a handle 34, the arm 33 being pivotally mounted on a connector rod 35. The rod 35 is mounted between opposed sides 32 of the machine 11. An L-shaped arm 36 is also pivotally mounted to the connector rod 35, the end of the upright section 37 of arm 36 being related to vertical plate 22 as at 38. The upright section 37 is continually spring biased toward the recessed position by tension spring 39 connected between the upright section 37 and depending rear wall 40 of support plate 20. The tension spring 39, of course, also causes the distributor 19 to be continually biased toward the recessed position. The front of foot 41 of arm 56 is connected to plunger arm 33 by a spring 42.

A drive shaft 43, carried between sides 32, is positioned parallel to the connector rod 35 between the feet 41 of L-shaped arms 36 and plunger arms 33. A series of drive bar cams 44 are connected to the drive Shaft 43, a drive bar cam being provided for cooperation with each foot 41. Each cam 44 provides a working edge 45 that cooperates with a pin 46 mounted to the foot 41.

To commence the dispensing cycle, the handle 34 is depressed by the consumer and as the handle is depressed the plunger arm 33, and therewith the L-shaped arm 36, are pivoted counterclockwise as illustrated in FIG- URE 2 between a first position, illustrated in solid lines. whereat the delivery apparatus 15 is recessed and a second position, illustrated in phantom lines, whereat the delivery apparatus has been projected into dispensing position. As the handle 34 is depressed pin 46 bears against working edge 45 of the cam 44, thereby causing the cam and, hence, the drive shaft 43, to rotate counterclockwise. It is the rotation of the drive shaft 43 that plays a major role in operation of the coin plate 10, as will be subsequently discussed in greater detail. Once the handle 34 has been depressed and the product package 12 dispensed, the delivery apparatus 15 and drive mechanism 16 are drawn back to the solid line or recessed position by the action of spring 39, thereby completing the dispensing cycle.

The novel coin plate 10 of this invention, adapted for use with either one dime or two nickels, is particularly illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5 with its operation sequence or cycle for two nickels being illustrated in FIG- URES 68. The coin plate 10 is mounted to a side 32 of the vending machine beneath coin rejector 48 by screws 49. The coin plate 10 is structurally based on a mounting plate 50 that provides pocket means in the form of two separate coin pockets 51, 52. One pocket 51 is configured to receive a dime 53 and is located on one side of the mounting plate 50, see FIGURE 4, and the other pocket 52 is configured to receive two nickels 54 and is located on the opposite side of the mounting plate, see FIGURE 5. For nickels 54 the front and back faces of the coin pocket 52 are defined by the mounting plate 50 and a nickel face plate 55 cooperating wtih a nickel guide plate 56. The face plate 55 is mounted to the mounting plate 50 on spacers, not shown, with screws 58, 59 to establish a clearance greater than the thickness of a nickel between the mounting plate and face plate 55. Guide plate 56 abuts the bottom of face plate 55 and is conneced to mounting plate 50 by a tab 60 and screw 61. The. guide plate 56 is also spaced from mounting plate 50 an amount greater than the thickness of a nickel, as determined by rib 62. The heights of the rib 62, and of the spacers (not shown) for the face plate 55, are substantially equal.

A lock mover arm is pivotally connected to mounting plates 50 as at 66, the arm 65 presenting a first working edge 67 that cooperates with one edge of an upper nickel in the pocket 52, as will be. subsequently described. The lock mover arm 65 is continuously bised in the counterclockwise direction by a torsion spring 68 connected to the mounting plate 50 on a shank 69 of one screw 49 and positioned to cooperate with pin 70 mounted to the arm 65. The clockwise-counterclockwise pivotal movement of the lock mover arm 65 is limited by stop pin 71 integral with the mounting plate 50 that cooperates with the periphery of a hole 72 in the arm 65. Thus, the first working edge 67 of the lock mover arm 65 is continually biased into the nickel pocket 52 by virtue of the pivot mounting at 66 and the spring 68.

The opposite side of the coin pocket 52 from that side which receives the first working edge 67 of the lock mover arm 65 cooperates with a transfer arm 75 having a locking limb 76 and a release limb 77, the transfer arm being pivotally mounted at its elbow 78 to mounting plate 50 by screw 58. The release limb 77 is so configured as to provide a coin rest or toe 79 and a shoulder 80 with a second working edge 81 to oppose the first working edge 67. As illustrated in FIGURE 5, when the dispensing apparatus is in the recessed position and two nickels 54 are deposited in the nickel coin .pocket 52, the first nickel descends into the coin pocket and is retained by the toe 79 cooperating with the lower portion of release limb 77 and rib 62. The second or upper nickel rests on top of the first or lower nickel, thereby being positioned between the two working edges 67, 81 of the lock mover arm 65 and the release limb 77 of the transfer arm 75, respectively.

The locking limb 76 of the transfer arm 75 is provided with a lock pin 82 that cooperates with a lock plate 83, the lock plate being drivably connected to the product dispenser through drive shaft 43 so that drive shaft 43 can be rotated and, hence, the product dispenser completely actuated to dispense a package, only if lock plate 83 can be rotated. The lock plate 83 is provided with a cam slot 84 suitably configured to provide, at one end, a lock recess 85 to cooperate with the lock pin 82. When the lock pin 82 is engaged with the lock recess 85 the. lock plate 83 cannot rotate counterclockwise and, therefore, the drive shaft 43 is prevented from rotation which effectively locks the product dispenser. The intermediate portion 86 of the cam slot 84 functions by cooperating with the lock pin 82 after the pin 82 is removed from the. lock recess 85 so that as the lock plate 83 is rotated counterclockwise the locking limb 76 is pivoted clockwise, thereby releasing the two nickels 54 into a coin box, not shown, by removing the toe 79 from their downward path.

The lock plate 83 is provided with a ratchet edge 90 to cooperate with a pawl 91 pivotally connected to the mounting plate 50, the pawl being biased in a counterclockwise direction by spring 92. The lock plate 83 also is configured along its edge to provide a latch notch 93 that cooperates with the point 94 of a latch arm 95 pivotally mounted, as at 96, to the mounting plate 50. The latch arm 95 is so configured and/or weighted that it is substantially heavier on one side than on the other. A kick pin 97 is mounted to the light end of the latch arm 95 and the the kick pin engages the cam plate edge, as at 98, when the dispensing apparatus 15 is in the recessed position. Thus, the latch arm 95 and latch notch 93 cooperate to provide a secondary lock or latch means for the machines product dispenser, as will be subsequently described in greater detail.

A connector link 101 is pivotally mounted, as at 102, to the lock mover arm 65 at one end and at the other end is provided with a slot 103 that cooperates with a guide pin 184 fixed to the mounting plate 50 and an abutment 105 that cooperates with edge 106 of the lock plate 83. An adjustment screw 107 connected to the mounting plate 50 limits the clockwise movement of the lock plate 83 and, hence, the lock mover arm 65, when the dispensing apparahis 15 is in the recessed position because the lock plate is continuously urged in the clockwise direction through the continuous clockwise movement exerted on drive. shaft 43 by springs, not shown, of the drive mechanism 16.

For the dime coin pocket 51, a first hole 111 is provided in the mounting plate 50 through which a thumb plate 112 is pinned by pin 113 to the lock mover arm 65, the thumb plate providing a first working edge 67a for the dime, see FIGURE 4. The second working edge 81a for engaging the dime is provided by a stub shaft 114 mounted to the shoulder of release limb 77 and extending through a second hole 115 provided in the mounting plate 50. The dime pocket 51 is covered by a dime face plate 116 connected to and spaced from the mounting plate 50 by the fasteners 58 and 59, the plate 116 being configured at its lower end to provide a tab 118 turned inward toward the face plate. Thus, the dime 53 is retained in the dime coin pocket 51 between the working edge 67a of the thumb plate 112 and the working edge 81a of the stubshaft 114 while resting on the tab 118.

Whether or not two nickels or a single dime are deposited, operation of the coin plate 10 is substantially the same. Of course, different geometrical relationships must be provided between the working edges 67, 81 for nickels and 67a, 81a for dimes, but the coin plate 10 in both instances operates in the same basic manner. When a product package 12 is desired by the consumer and the change possessed by the consumer is two nickels, the nickels are placed in the coin input chute 121 and directed to the coin rejector 48. Coin rejectors 48 are well-known in the art and form no part of this invention. If the coins are rejected by the rejector 48, they exit from the forward end 123 where they are directed behind mounting plate 50 by deflector plate 124. A trackway, not shown, guides the coins through an opening 125 in the side 32 of the vending machine and out to a coin return 127. When the nickels 54 are accepted they pass through the coin rejector 48 and, as they exit from the rejector towards its rear end 128, they are directed into the nickel pocket 52. At this point the two nickels 54 are positioned within the nickel pocket 52 so that they rest on top of one another and so that the upper nickel is positioned between Working edges 67 and 81 of the lock mover arm 65 and release limb 77, respectively. With the coins 54 in place, but before the handle 34 is even slightly depressed, the lock plate 83 is as illustrated in FIGURE 5, the lock plate being biased to that position by springs, not shown, connected to the drive bar carns 44 that continuously bias the drive shaft 43 in the clockwise direction. In this position, edge 106 of the lock plate 83 abuts the edge 105 of connector link 101 and urges it toward the right, thereby overcoming the force of leaf spring 68 and continuously urging the lock mover arm 65 clockwise. The limit of clockwise movement for the lock plate 83 and, hence, of the connector link 101, is dependent upon the position of the adjustment screw 107. With this structural relationship, and if no nickels 54 are in the nickel coin pocket 52, when the drive shaft 43 is rotated counterclockwise a minimum distance by depressing the handle 34 complete counterclockwise movement of the lock plate 83 (for completing a package dispensing cycle) is not permitted because the lock pin 82 is caught in the lock recess 85. This prevents further counterclockwise movement of the drive shaft 43, thereby locking the drive mechanism 16 and product dispenser for the vending machine.

The consumer, having deposited two nickels 54 in the coin pocket 52, depresses the handle 34 which generates a counterclockwise motion for the lock plate 83 and the drive shaft 43 because the lock plate is directly connected to the drive shaft 43. As the lock plate 83 moves counterclockwise the clockwise force exerted on lock mover arm 65 by connector link 101 is released so that the lock mover arm is also biased counterclockwise by the leaf spring 68. Thus, working edge 67 of the lock mover arm 65 engages the upper nickel 54 and presses it against the working edge 81 carried by the release limb 77. The force exerted by the leaf spring 68, as transmitted to the release limb 77 through the upper nickel, causes the transfer arm 75 to be cammed in a clockwise direction, thereby removing the lock pin 82 from the lock recess 85 in the lock plate 83, see FIGURE 6. As explained, if no or only one nickel 54 is present within the nickel pocket 52 when the handle 34 is depressed, the lock plate 83 will move fractionally counterclockwise but 7 the lock recess 85 will catch the lock pin 82. This for the reason that there is no coin to transmit the leaf spring 68 force to the release limb 77 for camming the locking limb 76 in the clockwise direction and, thereby, move the lock pin 82 out of the lock recess 85.

Once the lock pin 82 has been cammed out of the lock recess 85 the lock plate 83 continues to move counterclockwise as the handle 34 is depressed further. Simultaneously, the locking limb 76 is rotated further in the clockwise direction because of the cooperation of the lock pin 82 with the cam slot 86 in the lock plate 83. That is, as the lock plate 83 rotates counterclockwise the locking limb 76 is pivoted clockwise so that when the lock pin 82 reaches the upper end of the cam slot 86 the locking limb has been pivoted sufliciently to create enough clearance between the rib 62 and the toe 79 to permit the two nickels 54 to fall from the coin pocket into a coin box, not shown, see FIGURE 7. It will be noted from FIGURE 7 that during the movement of the lock plate 83 in the counterclockwise direction the ratchet edge 90 of the coin plate cooperates with the pawl 91 to prevent the handle 34 from returning to the initial position, even though it is continuously spring biased toward that position, until the lock pin 82 has completely traversed the cam slot 86 and reached the position illustrated in FIGURE 8. Once the lock plate 83 is as shown in FIG- URE 8, and if the latch arm 95 is positioned as shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 8, the handle 34 can be released and the coin plate structure 10, the delivery apparatus 15, and the drive mechanism 16 all will return to their original position. On the return half of the package dispensing cycle, the direction of lock plate 83 movement cannot be reversed until the starting point has once again been reached because of cooperation between the ratchet edge 90 and the pawl 91.

When a dime 53 is the coin used, the coin plate 10 functions in substantially the same manner through the same operational step sequence as illustrated in FIG- URES 6-8. The difference is that the two working edges 67a, 81a are adjusted positionwise to accommodate the smaller dime 53 as opposed to the larger nickel 54. The structure for accommodating the dime 53 is illustrated in FIGURE 4. As the handle 34 is depressed the working edge 67a of the thumb plate 112 engages the dime 53 which transmits the force generated by the leaf spring 68 to the guide pin 114 which, in turn, cams the locking limb 76 in the clockwise direction until the lock pin 82 is moved out of the lock recess 85. Operation of the coin plate 10 is the same from this point on as when two nickels 54 are used, the dime 53 being released into a coin box, not shown, as the transfer arm 75 is cammed clockwise by cooperation of the lock pin 82 with the cam slot 86.

As mentioned, one of the problems in prior art coin plates is that the handle 34 can be depressed and re'leased so quickly that when two nickels 54 are used the upper nickel will be retained by the coin plate because the package dispensing cycle is completed before the second nickel has a chance to fall from the coin plate structure. Also, if the handle 34 is depressed and released too quickly a package 12 may be caught between retainer bar 28 and the front edge of support plate before the package has a chance to drop free. With this coin plate 10 such a problem does not occur because, if the lock plate 83 is actuated too fast by the handle 34 so that it reaches the' end of its counterclockwise movement and begins its return or clockwise movement too rapidly, the latch arm 95 will be kicked into and retained in the solid line position illustrated in FIGURE 8. This latching result is achieved because edge 98 of the lock plate strikes the kick pin 97 and, thereby, kicks the latch arm 95 into engagement with the latch notch 93. That is, the latch arm 95 will move into the lock plates latch notch 93 and be held there because the lock plate 83 is continually biased in the clockwise direction by springs, not shown, connected to cams 44 that cause the drive shaft 43 to be continually biased clockwise. Thus. the lock plate 83 and, hence, the transfer arm 75, are retained in the vending machines completely actuated position so that both nickels 54 fall from the coin pocket and the package 12 falls free and down to the ledge 181. Because the latch arm is heavier at the end with point 94 than at the end with kick pin 97, when the handle 34 is depressed just slightly after the latch arm has engaged the latch notch 93 the latch arm falls back to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5, thereby making it possible for the lock plate 83, the rest of the coin plate structure, and the product dispenser to return to the non-actuated or recessed position.

Having described our invention, what we desire to claim and protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A coin plate for a vending machine comprising coin pocket means adapted to receive two nickels or one dime,

a lock plate drivably interconnected with the machines product dispenser,

a transfer arm having a locking limb engageable with the lock plate for establishing a lock on the product dispenser and a release limb engageable with an edge of a coin in the pocket means for releasing the lock. and

a lock mover arm engageable with an opposed edge of the same coin in the pocket means for activating release of the lock, whereby as the product dispenser is activated the lock is opened to permit release of the product when coinage is in the pocket means and the lock is not opened when coinage is not in the pocket means.

2. A coin plate as set forth in claim 1 including a mounting plate, said coin pocket means comprising a two nickel coin pocket positioned on one side or said mounting plate and a one dime coin pocket positioned on the other side of said mounting plate.

3. A coin plate as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lock plate, said transfer arm, and said lock mover arm are all mounted to the same side of said mounting plate.

4. A coin plate as set forth in claim 3 including a shoulder and a toe connected to said release limb for cooperating with the nickel coin pocket.

5. A coin plate as set forth in claim 3 including a stubshaft connected to said release limb for cooperating with the dime coin pocket.

6. A coin plate as set forth in claim 3 wherein the nickel coin pocket is on the same side of the mounting plate as said lock plate, said transfer arm and said lock mover arm.

7. A coin plate as set forth in claim 6 including a stubshaft connected to said release limb through a hole in said mounting plate for cooperating with the dime coin pocket.

a thumb plate connected to said lock mover arm through a hole in said mounting plate for cooperating with the dime coin pocket, and

a shoulder and a toe connected to said release limb for cooperating with the nickel coin pocket.

8. A coin plate as set forth in claim 1 including a connector link operably positioned between said lock mover arm and said lock plate for biasing said lock mover arm outwardly of said pocket means until the machines product dispenser is actuated.

9. A coin plate as set forth in claim 1 including latch notch means associated with said lock plate, and a latch arm having latch point means and being mounted so that said latch point means can engage said latch notch means upon rapid actuation and release of said lock plate.

10. A coin plate as set forth in claim 9 wherein said latch notch means comprises a notch formed in said lock plate.

11. A coin plate' as set forth in claim 9 including 9 10 a kick and on said latch arm, said kick end being en- References Cited gageable with said lock plate when said product dis- UNITED STATES PATENTS penser is actuated to kick said latch point means into latching relation with said latch notch means. 3,023,873 3/1962 Horton 194 93 X 3,270,848 9/1966 Hall 194-92 12. A coin plate as set forth in claim 11 wherein said latch arm is pivotally mounted to said mounting plate intermediate said kick end and said latch point means. STANLEY TOLLBERG Primary Examiner 

